Post on 13-Apr-2017
Health and Safety at Water Treatment Facilities
David P. Horowitz, P.E., CSP (@dphorowitz)
■ Health & Safety– OSHA Top 10
■ Globally Harmonized System– Changes– Implementation Dates
■ General Water Treatment Plant Hazards■ Safe Chemical Handling
– Typical treatment plant chemistries– Initial response activities– Tanks
Why do we care?
Why do we care?
Safety Takeaways
■ Watch for common issues!
■ Watch your staff & contractors
■ Management of change– Safety Data Sheets
■ The most frequent injuries in water treatment facilities are:
a. Cuts and bruises
b. Explosive and toxic gases
c. Slips and falls
d. Strains and Sprains
e. None of the above
I’m from OSHA. I’m here to help.
#10 Electrical – Systems Design■ Electrical design■ Arc Flash (NFPA 70E)
System specific evaluations
■ Proposed equipment■ Existing equipment
■ PPE
#9 Machine Guarding
■ Engineered or structural fixes
■ Job Hazard Analysis (JHAs)
#8 Electrical - Wiring■ Permanent■ Temporary
#7 Ladders - CONSTRUCTION
■ Design considerations■ Milestone Observation
OSHA Video - Ladders
#6 Lockout / Tagout
■ System specific evaluation
■ Comprehensive energy source understanding
#5 Powered Industrial Trucks
■ PIVs■ Hoisting requirements
#4 Respiratory Protection■ Engineer out, if possible■ Written Plan
■ Baseline physical■ Medical surveillance■ Fit testing
#3 Scaffolding - CONSTRUCTION ■ Design considerations
■ Milestone Observation
#2 Hazard Communication
■ Globally Harmonized System
■ Risk Management Planning– Chlorine Gas = >2,500 Lbs
#1 Fall Protection - CONSTRUCTION
■ Design considerations■ Milestone Observation
■ The most frequent safety hazard from the use of polymers is:
A. Attack on many types of stainless steel
B. Cause of severe burns and blindness
C. Evolution of a toxic gas
D. Extreme slipping hazard when spilled on surfaces
E. The boss scrutinizing chemical costs
Global Harmonized SystemMajor Changes
■ Training and implementation■ Hazard classification■ Labels and warnings■ Standard Safety Data Sheets
OSHA Video - GHS
Hazard Classifications
Physical Hazards
Hazard Classifications
HealthHazards
■ The goal of GHS■ Label elements and GHS pictograms■ Labeling components■ Possible sources of confusion
What’s wrong with HAZCOM
Too many systems Too confusing
Too time consuming Too nationally
focused
What’s wrong with HAZCOM?
Lots
Sometimes the Signs Are Obvious
Sometimes They Can Be Subject to Interpretation
Or need an interpreter
Or worse
Protect yourself
Protect others
Major ChangesThe Basics
■ Hazard classification■ Labels and warnings■ Standard Safety Data Sheets■ Training and implementation
Effective Completion Date Requirement(s) Who
December 1, 2013 Training•New Label Elements•Safety Data Sheets
Employers
June 1, 2015 Manufacturer full complianceHAZCOM plans updated
Chemical ManufacturersEmployers
December 1, 2015 Distribution Prohibitions for non GHS labels
Chemical Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors
June 1, 2016 Updates to program and training based on new hazard classifications
Employers
Physical Hazard Health Hazard
HAZARD TYPES■ Physical
– Unstable Chemicals (Water Reactive)– Flammables or Combustibles– Explosives– Stored at High Pressures– Thermal Effects
■ Health– Acute– Chronic– Latency Period
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
■ May Cause Injury by Physical Action■ Burns: Flammables, Combustibles■ Pressure: Compressed Gasses■ Explosions: Explosives, Reactives
Hazard Classifications
Physical Hazards
Hazard Classifications
Physical Hazards
EXAMPLES: PHYSICAL HAZARDS
■ Flammable■ Explosive■ Oxidizer■ Pyrophoric■ Unstable (Reactive)■ Water Reactive
EXPLOSIVE
■ Sudden Release Of:– Pressure– Gas– Heat
■ When Exposed To:– Sudden Shock– Pressure– High Temperature
■ BLEVE: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
OXIDIZER■ Reacts With Organic Material■ Releases Oxygen■ Promotes Combustion
Sodium Hypochlorite
Peracetic Acid
Oxygen
UNSTABLE (REACTIVE)
■ Unwanted Chemical Change During Normal Handling
■ May Generate– Heat– Pressure– Polymerization
■ Can Create– Fires– Explosions
WATER REACTIVE■ Presence of Water■ Forms a Gas That Is:
– Flammable or
– Toxic
Flammable Liquid Categories
Possibility for Confusion?Flashpoint
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
NFPA / OSHA Flammable Combustible
NFPA 704 Diamond 4 3 2
EPA / DOT Flammable Combustible
GHS 1 or 2 3 4
Signal Word Danger Danger Warning
Hazard StatementExtremely flammable liquid and
vaporHighly flammable liquid and
vaporFlammable liquid and vapor Combustible liquid
Pictogram Nothing
Possibility for Confusion?
NFPA Video - Confusion
Compressed Gasses■ Injurious due to
pressure
Ethylene Oxide
Oxygen
HEALTH HAZARDS
■ Acute– Immediate Effects
■ Chronic– Effects May Build Over Time– May Be Latency Before Recognized Effects
■ Latency Period– Period Between Exposure and Exposure Effects
OSHA Video - PELs
Hazard Classifications
HealthHazards
Hazard Classifications
HealthHazards
ACUTE EXPOSURE / EFFECTS
■ Example: Acids■ Body Recognizes on Immediate Exposure■ Can Get Prompt Medical Attention
CORROSIVE■ A Hazardous Material That
Causes Visible Destruction Of, or Irreversible Alteration in Living Tissue at the Site of Contact
Sodium Hypochlorite Peracetic Acid
Acutely Toxic – Low Hazard■ Acutely
– Effects are “immediate”■ Toxic
– Chemical that causes harmful effects
– To target organ(s)– Effects are different
depending on target organ
■ May be Systemic– Affects almost all target
organs
Acutely Toxic – Low HazardIsopropyl alcohol
Dacarbazine
Glutaraldehyde
Acetone
Acutely Toxic - Irritant■ A Hazardous Material That Causes a Reversible
Inflammatory Effect on Living Tissue by Chemical Action at the Site of Contact
Isopropyl alcohol
Acutely Toxic – Sensitizer■ A Hazardous Material That Causes a Percentage of
the Exposed Group to Develop an Allergic Reaction After Repeated Exposure
Methyl methacrylate
Acutely Toxic – High Hazard■ Acutely
– Effects are “immediate”■ Toxic
– Chemical that causes harmful effects
– To target organ(s)– Effects are different
depending on target organ
■ High Hazards– Effects are significant– May be immediately life
threatening Ammonia
Chronic Toxic Effects■ Examples
– Carcinogens– Teratogens– Reproductive toxins
■ Health effects– Vary with chemical– Affect target organ– May not show up for
years after overexposure
Dacarbazine Glutaraldehyde
Label Elements■ Sodium hypochlorite
Label Elements
Label Elements
Safety Data Sheets
■ Prescriptive requirements■ Sections must be consistent■ Information dictated by GHS guidance
SDS Hazards Description
SDS Sections
■ Section 1, Identification ■ Section 2, Hazard(s) ■ Section 3, Composition/information ■ Section 4, First-aid measures ■ Section 5, Fire-fighting measures ■ Section 6, Accidental release measures ■ Section 7, Handling and storage ■ Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection ■ Section 9, Physical and chemical properties ■ Section 10, Stability and reactivity ■ Section 11, Toxicological information ■ Section 12, Ecological information■ Section 13, Disposal considerations■ Section 14, Transport information■ Section 15, Regulatory information■ Section 16, Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision.
What hasn’t changed
■ Exclusions and exemptions■ Elements of the HAZCOM program■ Training requirements■ Secondary container labeling■ Temporary container exclusion■ Special labeling systems
– NFPA 704– HMIS
Effective Completion Date Requirement(s) Who
December 1, 2013 Training•New Label Elements•Safety Data Sheets
Employers
June 1, 2015 Manufacturer full complianceHAZCOM plans updated
Chemical ManufacturersEmployers
December 1, 2015 Distribution Prohibitions for non GHS labels
Chemical Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors
June 1, 2016 Updates to program and training based on new hazard classifications
Employers
Conclusion
■ HAZCOM is adopting GHS■ Broad applicability – everybody is “in”■ Lots to do
– Training on GHS elements– Plans and programs need to be revised– SDS need to be developed– New labels need to be designed and implemented
Safety Issues for Water Operators■ Confined Space
– Monitoring– Definition– PRCS– Procedures
■ Lockout/Tagout– Energy Control procedures– Locks & tags– Electrical exposure
■ Fire Safety/Extinguishers– A-comb; B-electrical; C-chemical– Safe storage of flammables
■ Safe Lifting– Sizing up the lift– Back braces– Two person lifts– Lifting aids (hoists)
■ Hazard Communication– Hazard types: physical/health– Health hazards: acute/chronic– NFPA 704/HMIS– MSDS
■ Chemical Safety Information– Caustics: corrosivity– Always add acid to water– Good ventilation
Safety Issues for Water Operators■ Machine Guarding
– Power transmission– Guards & blocks
■ Walking/Working Surfaces– Housekeeping– Oils– Caustics– Ice– Ladders– Fall safety
■ Chemical Monitoring– Instruments– O2 deficiency– Combustible gas indicator– H2S
■ PPE– Safety glasses: a must!– Gloves: compatible material– Respirators– Hearing protection– Eyewashes/Showers
Safety Issues for Water Operators■ Emergency Preparedness
– Emergency action plan– Take care of yourself first– Call postings– Evacuation procedures– Buddy system
■ Accident Prevention– Signs: caution, warning, danger– Labeling containers & tanks– Pipe colors
Storage Tank Update
West Virginia News
■ Tank Trouble– Elk River, WV
» 400,000 w/o water» January 10, 2014
– Laurens, SC» Mystery oil spill
– Belgrade, Montana» Tank fire
– Bryan, OH» Massive bird kill
Storage Tank Update
Storage Tank Update■ Typical Tank Uses
– Fleet fueling– Facility heating– Generator fueling
■ Underground Tanks– USTs– Fuel tanks need operators
■ Aboveground Tanks– ASTs– Receiving scrutiny
Remote Spill Box/FillFuel Dispenser
Fuel Pump
Interstitial Leak Detection
Spill Kit
Normal Vent
Labels
Dispenser Hose Bollards
Secondary Tank Emergency Vent
Primary Tank Emergency Vent Mechanical Gauge
Preventive Limiting Barrier
Concrete Pad
1.5-inchesNut
Integral Containment
Rain Shield
Ideal Installation – Generator Tank
QuestionsDavid P. Horowitz, P.E., CSP
Tighe & Bond53 Southampton Rd.Westfield, MA 01085
413.572.3211dphorowitz@tighebond.com
Tighe & Bond177 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801603-433-8818
l446 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01605508-754-2201
l4 Barlows Landing Road, Unit #18
Pocasset, MA 02559508-564-7285
l213 Court Street, Suite 900
Middletown, CT 06457860-704-4760
l1000 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, CT 06484203-712-1100